McNeill Bay is situated in an area with a wonderful esplanade and photogenic scenery. There are plenty of benches along the seawall to sit and enjoy the landscape of Trial Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountain. Doing exciting water activities on McNeill Bay Beach would bring happiness to you and your family. It is considered one of the fantastic off-leash dog beaches in Victoria, where dogs would be as free as you. The weather in McNeill Bay is almost mild, especially in spring and summer, suitable conditions for different trees and flowers. You can find two of the best gardens near the bay; Abkhazi Garden and Oak Bay Rose Garden.
McNeill Bay is a beach located at Oak Bay near Victoria city, British Columbia. It has a view of Trial Island and Olympic Mountain. While you are in the area, visit Craigdarroch Castle, a historical place northwest of McNeill Bay. It has many artistic works like stained glass, woodwork, old-time furnishings, and clothes. Another place worth visiting is Victoria's Chinatown, a spectacular Chinese neighbourhood with restaurants, shops & colourful architecture.
From Nanaimo:
Getting to McNeill Bay from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 116 km (72 miles) and takes about an hour and a half.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 meters (1804.4 ft). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S to Bay St in Victoria and drive 110 km (68.3miles). Continue on Bay St and take Richmond Rd to Beach Dr in Oak Bay. After 6.1 km (3.7 miles), you will reach the bay.
From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria to McNeill Bay is Johnson St. It is 5.6 km (3.4 miles) and takes about 10 minutes.
Go head south on Broad St toward Johnson St for 94 m (308.39 ft). Turn left onto Johnson St and after 1.8 km (1.1 miles), turn right onto Pandora Ave. Continue for 450 m (1476.38 ft), drive straight onto Oak Bay Ave, and turn right onto Richmond Ave after 500 m (1640.4 ft). Go on for 1.3 km (0.8 miles) and turn left onto Fairfield Rd. After 550 m (1804.4 ft), continue onto Beach Dr, where the destination will be on the right. Just drive 900 m (2952.7 ft) more to see McNeill Bay.
There isn't any designated hiking trail to McNeill Bay.
McNeill Bay, also known as Shoal Bay, was named after Captain William Henry McNeill. He is a Master of the Hudson's Bay Company steamer SS Beaver. McNeill Bay is where SS Beaver is anchored while scouting for a proper place for Fort Victoria. The coastline of the bay made the south edge of McNeill's original 202-acre lot, part of which was passed on to his children when he died in 1875. At last, in 1906, because of easier access to this great area, a road build beside the beach.
Throughout the year, McNeill Bay has suitable water temperatures to do water activities. The condition is so tempting for many people to come and enjoy the beach and hang out with family or friends. Kayaking is one of the popular activities in McNeill Bay. Bring your own kayak or rent one beside the beach. There is a boat lunch for those who love boating in the ocean. As strong winds blow in McNeill Bay, it is one of the best spots for windsurfing south of Vancouver Island. For those looking for peaceful moments in the ocean, Paddleboarding is recommended.
McNeill Bay has plenty of benches along the seawall to sit and enjoy the landscape of Trial Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountain. Do exciting water activities on McNeill Bay Beach and experience its wonderful esplanade and photogenic scenery. It is considered one of the fantastic off-leash dog beaches in Victoria.
Gonzales Bay is a small scenic bay with a crescent-shaped beach. Its sandy beach is often quiet and peaceful. Walking on the Gonzales Bay beach near the ocean can help to release the world's anxiety. Lie on the beach and see the peaks of Olympic Mountain and enjoy the Mediterrane climate. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach from September through May.
Extraordinary opportunities to make your diving experience memorable in the heart of Greater Victoria, including high-ranked spots for diving. These spots provide you with inevitable diving opportunities which allow you to explore the alien underwater world of Victoria's waters saturated with magnificent creatures. Do not miss it for the world.
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Looking for a reliable place to go whale watching for the first time on Vancouver Island? Why not starting with Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, one of the famous Yacht Clubs on the island. You will have the opportunity to observe these gigantic creatures and probably other sea creatures in the waters of the Salish Sea.
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Start your whale watching journey with Van Isle Marina, a critical marine zone on Vancouver Island, capable of serving 200 boats simultaneously, which has made it an ideal destination for the fans of whale watching. There is a high chance to observe other sea creatures other than whales.
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As one of the best tourist attractions of Sooke and Vancouver Island, West Coast comprises many outdoor excitements that cannot be denied. You are provided with different wildlife to watch and various food to eat, not to mention that you observe a rare nature that is outstanding. So, chances are high to see different whales and other marine creatures.
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You would better plan a visit to Cabin Point Coastline between April-September. It is the best time for those preparing for Sooke Whale Watching in one of the famous coastlines for it in the Salish sea. You are given adequate opportunity to gaze upon these marvellous sea creatures.
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Beechey Head and its loop are two of the hot spots for whale watching in Sooke. In addition to fantastic opportunities for whale watching, Beechey Head is a hiking and nature trip location that offers you excellent activities, such as birdwatching.
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Spirit Bay has a rich community offering settlings for whale watching lovers beside incredible wildlife; therefore, it would be an excellent point to start your Sooke Whale Watching. Plus, it has a cute beach. You cannot get over the beauty of it and its scenic views.
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Featuring wildflowers and fantastic sceneries, Creyke Point Trail is a suitable spot for whale watching, bird watching, and nature trips with splendid beaches and forests. So if you are having a great time in Sooke, remember to stop by Creyke Point to have more fun.
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Located in the heart of Victoria and adjacent to many whale watching operators, Victoria Harbour Ferry is a starting point for your whale watching tour. Many visitors come here to watch whales annually; not only whale watching but open waterways of Salish make Victoria Harbour Ferry a remarkable place for anglers, wildlife followers and daily tourists.
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Due to certified whale watching agencies, Fisherman's Wharf Park is a significant place to visit for whale watching enthusiasts. As one of the most prodigious and phenomenal creators worldwide, whales are ample during specific whale watching seasons.
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Featuring Victoria Harbour and West Bay, Esquimalt could be your starting point for whale watching in Victoria. You can also have the pleasure of watching sea lions, seals, porpoises, and a wide variety of marine birds are other stunning creators that may be highly admirable to wildlife watching fanatics.
Cattle Point is a part of Uplands Park in Victoria, runs along the coastline of Oak Bay. During falls and winters, especially November through March, the Cattle Point Storm Watching is an exhilarating experience. Watch storms smashing from spectacular vantage points as dark clouds blanket the sky, rains whipping, gusts of winds making barreling high waves.
Located in Victoria, Saxe Point Park has an area of Peninsula Seafront. Powerful barreling winds cause fierce waves to hit the coast during falls and winters, make Saxe Point Park a lovely place for Storm Watching. Witness the power of nature as waves crash into the beach with rain falling and the flashing sky making your soul stirred while enjoying Saxe Point Park Storm Watching.
Just a short walk from Victoria, Clover Point is hit by great storms, and there are fabulous opportunities to watch roaring storms. During falls and winters, protect and enjoy the fierce waves making up in the distance, rolling into the coast, battering against the rocks, whether staying at your car or donning in raingear.
If you happen to visit Victoria during fall and winter, do not hesitate to go storm-watching. It is a perfect place for brave souls seeking some exciting moments, watching the high waves making up in the distance, rolling into the coast, crashing against the rocks while rain's whipping. Protecting this natural phenomenon of nature is one of the most popular recreations at Victoria and exposed west beaches of Vancouver Island.
Spiral Beach in Victoria is where the blue of the sea and sky and the Olympic Mountains at a distance is situated in a perfect picture. There are hills along the beach to stand on for a wide view. Walk on the sands and pebbles with the driftwoods around on the beach. Listen to the waves, walk on the shoreline, and have the storm watching pleasure in the fall and winter.
McNeill Bay has plenty of benches along the seawall to sit and enjoy the landscape of Trial Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountain. Do exciting water activities on McNeill Bay Beach and experience its wonderful esplanade and photogenic scenery. It is considered one of the fantastic off-leash dog beaches in Victoria.
Langford is a city on the south coast of Vancouver Island and heaven for golfers. You can stay at lodgings and play at challenging hillside courses and enjoy yourself at luxurious advantages like the Amatista Spa. Beautiful parks surround the city, so go hiking through scenic forests or have peaceful moments beside lakes. Langford offers shops, family activities, sheep farms, and a bike park.
Gonzales Bay is a small scenic bay with a crescent-shaped beach. Its sandy beach is often quiet and peaceful. Walking on the Gonzales Bay beach near the ocean can help to release the world's anxiety. Lie on the beach and see the peaks of Olympic Mountain and enjoy the Mediterrane climate. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach from September through May.
A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria or AGGV is home to artworks from talented artists of Canada and Asia. The building complex of the gallery includes the Spencer Mansion and the exhibition galleries. It also has gardens with a Japanese Shinto shrine. The art gallery is kid-friendly, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The gift shop has gorgeous merchandise.
Located in Victoria, the Royal BC Museum is one of Canada's most significant cultural and historical treasures. It showcases natural wonders and includes artifacts, documents, specimens, and everything slightly relevant to British Columbia's natural and human history. The museum also provides a dynamic forum and a safe space for discussion and reflection.
Miniature World is among the top ten attractions in Victoria. It is the World of Smallness, the World of Story Books, and the World of Fact, Fiction, and Fantasy. It presents villages with different themes such as Camelot or the World's Smallest Operational Sawmill or Space 2201 AD and Avian 1 Spaceship. Miniature World is so unique that you may want to visit it every time you're in Victoria.
If you are a fan of sun and beach, Victoria has the warmest weather in Canada to take a sunbath and swim, and Willows Beach is located in this area. This white sandy beach is south of Willows Park and has protected water suitable for a family vacation. Get the most out of your visit when you are at the park. Have a meal or drink in its cafe with a view of the sea.
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to preserve intertidal and subtidal communities that became very rich due to strong tidal currents. It features marine mammals like whales, sea lions and seals, birds like ducks, cormorants, black oyster-catchers and bald eagles. Fish species, marine invertebrates, and animals like marine algae and seagrass are among other inhabitants.
Sitting Lady Falls or Witty's Lagoon Falls with a wonderful forest around, and the moss-covered rocks is a magical place, something out of a fairy tale but near Victoria. The waterfall with 100 m (328 ft) height is divided into two parts, like a fork, making a unique shape worth visiting. The good thing about Sitting Lady Falls is the variety of birds living in the area.
Gallery Merrick is home to many native artists. The purpose of the gallery is to appreciate beauty everywhere we look. The priority of the gallery is to help working artists who make their livings out of their art. Many artists from Vancouver Island, surrounding islands, and across the country exhibit their talents here.
You may have limitations for yourself, but if you are not a beginner at cave exploring, overcome your own limits. Find a hidden gem in Langford, somewhere that few people know. Florence Lake Cave is a mystery waiting to be discovered for professional cavers. Some believe that it is the largest cave in Greater Victoria. Don't waste your time hesitating and pack your bag for a challenge.
The most visited city on Vancouver Island, the capital of BC, the gardens city, the most romantic city in Canada, home to the world's tallest free-standing totem pole, and many other facts bring the name of Victoria to mind. It is considered a four-season destination with its mild climate and lots of trails made it a heaven for cyclists. Isn't it all enough for you to have a visit? Just read more.